Sunday, May 22, 2011

So, back to that looming question...

The chance of failure is high, and therefore, the quote above simply does not apply.

So, instead, I am going with this question: What would you do if you thought you were very likely to fail but stood just a chance in hell that you wouldn't?

From my pregnant post 9 months ago, I now have this: That is the thing I still want to do, and now, that is the thing I will do. I will focus not on the apparently insurmountable obstacles in my way. Rather, I will see the glimmer of hope, the minute possibility that exists. And I will move toward it. How can there be fear of failure when it is likely and expected? How can there not be the thrill of success when it is almost, but not certainly, impossible?

What is it?

It is a solo, unsupported, self-contained crossing of Death Valley, from the Badwater Basin (the lowest elevation in the US at 282 ft below sea level) to the summit of Mt. Whitney (the highest elevation in the contiguous US at 14, 494 feet).

There are 135 miles of asphalt road that ribbon through the desert, through her valleys and over her mountain passes, that marry the Badwater Basin to the Whitney Portal Trail. From there, the route ascends 11 miles to the summit of the mountain for a total of 146 miles (235 km). Lowest to highest points. It has historic appeal.

There is an official race on the 135 miles of the paved route, the one and only Badwater Ultramarathon, known globally as "the world's toughest foot race." I've crewed at the race, I've paced there, I've run it, and I even once won it (in 2007). I've also headed up the medical team for 9 years. Needless to say, I love this race. Maybe this helps demonstrate my commitment to the Badwater Ultramarathon over the years. It's one of the nicest "salutes" I have and probably will ever receive. I am humbly honored to have been a part of the Badwater family for so many years.

But I am not running the race again (not this year at least!). Instead, two weeks after the official race, which is July 11, 2011, I will set out on a journey to test whether I can cover the same distance on the same route with the addition of the 11 miles to the Whitney summit totally unaided and self-contained. My go date is July 25, 2011.

Some definitions and clarifications:

The first crossings: Read about them here: Al Arnold was the first person to cross Death Valley via this route in 1977. The first organized race was held in 1987, and Jay Birmingham crossed solo in 2001. Then there was the first double crossing by Richard Benyo and Tom Crawford in 2004. For some, there is an allure of crossing the desert by the power of one's own feet, where temperatures reach well into the upper 120 degrees F. Some the desert seduces.

The official Badwater Ultramarathon - This year will be the 34th addition of the official race. Competitors literally from all over the world will attempt to finish the distance in under 48 hours with crews and pacers supporting them. Not an easy feat to be sure!

Solo - Many have chosen to do a solo crossing, which can be either aided or unaided. Aided means you have a crew that carries all your supplies and you cover the distance by foot with their help. There is no race, no cheering from other race entrants or their crews, no awards, no post-run pizza party, just intrinsic motivation and a big heart for the desert. Unaided crossings have also been done. Unaided means you carry all your supplies (including water, ice and food) usually in a baby stroller that is pushed by you. No outside help is allowed but you can restock your supplies and rest along the way at several points. Only a handful of tough ultrarunners have done unaided crossings. And a couple were so good at it, they made the crossing multiple times!

Solo, unaided, self-contained- This means that the person accepts no outside help of any kind: no food nor water, ice nor sunscreen, bandaid nor blanket. Every single thing that might be needed from the Badwater Basin to the Whitney summit must be carried by the person. There is no refueling along the way. This necessitates a kind of cart for carrying lots of water and ice, food and even winter clothes for the mountain. And you can leave the water filter at home because, well, for one, there is no water in the desert to filter, and two,the rules for self-contained say you are not allowed to filter water on the mountain anyway. Nope, every last drop of water, as well as everything else needed, must be planned for and carried from the start.

Has anyone ever done this? Well, yes, of course! The legend, aka King of Pain, Marshall Ulrich made a successful solo, unaided, self-contained crossing in 1999. (And just in case you didn't know, Marshall just published one of the best endurance running/love story books I have ever read - and you can get it HERE.) Marshall tried the crossing first in 1998 but failed to make it very far, so aborted that attempt and returned the next year for a successful completion. Want to read about his 1999 crossing? It's a fantastic story: Marshall Ulrich's unaided, self-contained crossing.

Who else has done it?

Nobody.

But, that's not the end of the "nobody" story.

Another accomplished ultrarunner, Jeff Sauter, planned and trained for and then attempted a self-contained crossing in 2004. And he just about almost made it! He successfully traversed the 135-mile asphalt road from the Badwater Basin to the Whitney portal trail, where he was able to leave his cart and begin the tail of his journey to the summit of the mountain. So, he headed up. And up, and up. And he got about 5 miles from the summit when he succumbed to the severe cold on the mountain and had to accept a blanket to ward off dangerous hypothermia. Thus, his journey ended just a few miles short. What a story it was that Jeff told me! And after hearing it, my obvious question was, Will you go back and try again? Well, I'll let Jeff answer that question, but I can at least say that he most certainly has the heart and the will to do so if and when he decides to give it another go. No doubt about that.

Has anyone else tried? Not that I know of. But if you know of any other attempts, please let me know. I am certain, however, that Marshall is the only one to have succeeded.

So, that is a great story just as it is.

The end.

BUT...

Jeff emailed me last year and retold his story.

Yay! Great story, great effort, great accomplishment!

And then he said something very much like: "You know, it's never been done by a woman. In fact, I think it's impossible for a woman to do because no woman could push or pull a 250+ pound cart up Towne Pass" (Towne Pass is at mile 42 on the course and is the first mountain pass. It ascends at up to an 8% grade for 18 miles.)

Sure, I said, you're probably right. That's a lot of weight for a woman to push.

So, wait, Jeff. Why are you telling me this?

And then he said, Well, if anyone could do it....

And he left it at that.

Dang it!

And so the mustard seed was planted and the rumination began.

I do not want to live within the borders of my perceived limitations. I have no desire to do something at which I know I cannot fail. How mundane! Rather, I want to risk failure. What's the worst that could happen? I fail to succeed?

Yes, I want to and I am going to try something that is likely - but not necessarily - impossible.

Why? Well, that's a whole other blog post....

However, to put it simply, I can at least say that I believe with all my heart and mind and body and soul that there is no failure in trying, for as long as we keep trying.

How can I help you git'er dunnnnn? (pardon the use of that overused expression, but he is from Nebraska... ) You're STRONG! you're POWERFUL! and you're COMMITTED! and I can't wait to read/hear about the amazing adventure!!!!!

Hey LisaJust read your blog entry and I like what I've read. I've probalby know you longer than most people in the ultra world and yeah you doing this crazy sport is all Ian's fault (love it) as we discussed in front of a 1000 peole the other week. I truly believe if there is one person that can do it it is you Lisa. I can't wait to hear your report after you finish. Go for it my friendHugsIan

I can't wait to hear you tell the story of your successful journey, the ups and downs, the literal highs and lows, and everything else in between. Sign me up for the book. Proud to have you as a friend and to say I've known you nearly 35 years, with a huge gap in between! You inspire so many to attempt the impossible - that failure won't even enter the discussion. Go Lisa!

Lisa,This popped up in FB and I just had to come see what you were up to! Sounds like and incredible and difficult adventure - and you are the person to do it! Eric and I will be pulling for you! (I'll be at school in Boston on your "go" date, but I'll keep my eye out for updates!)Michelle

Lisa, I have unlimited confidence in you. If anyone can I know you can. My advice is to look very closely at to what you take since every ounce of weight is a point against you. Good luck and I'm looking forward to your story, And it IS a success whether or not you make it, because you have tried in a very public forum...JohnPS This is what I like about Barkly, failure is certain, but there is this very slight chance......

About Me

I am an ultra runner, physician and have been medical director of some of the toughest ultras. I tend to be a mover and a shaker and louder than my size suggests. However, my Gemini twin is gentler and contemplative, an artist, a writer, and a poet. I am a dog lover, a believer in souls, and have a special affinity for those who struggle because I have been there.

This is my crazy lovable huggable Weimaraner, Steely Dan. I call him Steely. He left us in January of this year at only 6 years from lymphoma that did not respond to chemotherapy treatments. Steely was a total goof. He loved trail running, road running, treadmill running, new experiences, making eye contact, sleeping on his back, me, kids, and liver treats. He was Zappa's best friend. We miss him dearly.

This is Stella. A rescue from the shelter. She's about 6 months old and a Border Collie. She is a joyous bundle of energy and curiosity and now also Zappa best friend. She will make a nice running partner when she grows up.

This is the now the big brother of my family - a rescued Greyhound. His name is Frank Zappa. I call him Zappa. He's 7 years old and has learned all about life beyond the track and crate from Steely when he was with us. It was very rewarding to watch his personality bloom as he settled into the family. And yes, he runs like the wind!

This is Natasha, my dearest friend. She was with me through college, medical school, residency, and she moved with me from Chicago to Spokane several years ago. She was my best running partner for 10 years. My sweet Natasha died from bone cancer in 2006. I miss her still. I hung a windchimes over the deck outside. When it chimes, I smile and think she has finally -- wherever she is now -- caught a squirrel!